11 Reasons Why Rio de Janeiro Should Be On Your Bucket List

It’s no secret, I’m addicted to travel. I want to go everywhere, I want to see every thing. Even though most of my travels have taken me to dreamy destinations, I’ve never been anywhere as I loved so much that I actually didn’t want to leave (I do live on Maui, it’s hard to trump my tropical island) until I visited Rio de Janeiro. I could have stay in Rio forever. Trust me friends, Rio de Janeiro should be on your travel bucket list.

rio de janeiro travel

As my plane was landing I was overwhelmed with excitement. I couldn’t wait to explore the city but I was skeptical. I didn’t think it could possibly live up to the hype. Boy was I wrong. Not only did Rio surpass my expectations on every front, it had me begging for more. The whole city was a sensory overload. I couldn’t see, taste, or feel enough (I definitely did get my fair share of smells – urine stalls in the middle of public sidewalks are, without a doubt, the worst idea ever.)

If you don’t believe me just take a look at this list of 10 reasons why Rio de Janeiro should be on your bucket list.

Why Rio de Janeiro Should Be On Your Bucket List

1. The Beaches

There’s nothing like them. Chances are you’ve heard of them, Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, and Leme. They are as lively as they are lovely. Imagine rows of brightly striped umbrellas shading scantily clad men & women in lawn chairs sipping on caipirinhas & coconut water. There is a constant flow of salesman (not the pushy kind-they were all rather considerate & mild mannered) offering everything from selfie-sticks, to swim suits, to cheese sticks all at affordable prices. Once you settle in you won’t have any reason to leave your beach chair.

2. The Nightlife

You can’t think of Rio de Janeiro without conjuring thoughts of loud music, neon lights, and samba. The parties here are unlike anywhere else. Rio at night can be scary but as long as you stay in centro and out of the favelas and you will have nothing to worry about.

3. The Views

Some spots like Christ the Redeemer & Sugarloaf are known around the world for their spectacular views, but to be honest, Rio is overflowing with eye candy. Every turn, every hill, every hotel seemed to offer another incredible view of this stunning city & its magnificent landscapes.

4. The Churrascos

The best meals of my life were the nights we spent hours feasting at the local churrascos. They offer endless amounts incredibly fresh & flavorful grilled meats, hot cheese bread, cheese straight off the wheel, fresh cured & dried meats, along with rows & rows of every type of pasta & fresh salad imaginable. All of this for about $35 US, amazing.

5. The Acai

At nights we feasted on the churrascos, during the day we ate our weight in acai. And it’s not hard to do. Acai is every where in Rio. It’s nothing like what we eat in the US. Brazilians don’t dilute their acai with other fruits, instead they blend the frozen acai berry with just a little sweetener. There is no better way to fight the humid Rio heat & at about $3 US for a quart it’s hard to find a reason not to buy a bowl at every street corner.

6. The Soccer

Soccer is everywhere in Rio. It’s their way of life. And it is pretty thrilling to join in the futball fun. We were able to attend both a national match & a local club match. Both were equally exciting. I’ve been to my fair share of professional sporting events in the US but nothing compares to the passion, vigor, devotion of these Rio fans.

7. The People

The people in Rio are incredibly friendly. They are quick to start conversations & overlook the language barriers. They are also quick to offer assistance, waive fees, & extend a little bit of friendship. We met so many wonderful people who helped make our stay in Rio memorable.

8. The Wildlife

Rio is home to monkeys, anteaters, armadillos, sloths, & various species of bright & beautiful birds. It was amazing to spot & interact with some of these animals in their natural habitat. Guys, I got to feed wild monkeys. It was unreal.

9. The Views

Some spots like Christ the Redeemer & Sugarloaf are known around the world for their spectacular views, but to be honest, Rio is overflowing with eye candy. Every turn, every hill, every hotel seemed to offer another incredible view of this stunning city & its magnificent landscapes.

10. The Shopping

Rio de Janeiro is full of shops ranging from moderate department stores, to international chains, to locally based boutiques, to swap meets. You can find anything your heart desires in Rio, and at a steal, too. I bought 40 pairs of Havaianas and spent an average of $3.40/per pair!

11. The Excursions

If you like to get out & adventure, than Rio is the place for you. They have endless amounts of trails, mountains, beaches, rivers, & water activities. As avid adventurers we had a tough time narrowing down what to invest our time into. There were so many options, & just not enough time. We were loved every trail we trekked & every site we saw but there is so much we still want to do. I guess that just means we will have to go back.

Rio de Janeiro may seem a world a way but it is actually relatively easy to travel to. Personally, I’m a fan of red-eyes. Red eyes allow you to get the most out of your travel & they are financially freindly. I love being able to sleep through the bulk of my travel & wake up ready to go as soon as the plane lands. There’s no wasted travel time. And by sleeping on the plane that is one less night you need to pay for a hotel. When you are traveling horizontally you can only hope to score a red-eye on you east bound flight. But when you fly vertically it is possible to fly red-eyes both ways. Double-win!

Are you convinced? Have you added Rio to your bucket list? I’d love to hear what other dreamy destinations you have your eye on. Leave a comment & let me know where you dream to go.

For more amazing travel spots we recommend, check these ideas out:

8 Reasons Why Jamaica May Be Your Ideal Island Getaway

Things to Do in Thailand with Kids | Our Family Trip to Thailand

ICELAND – Top 9 Things To Do In Iceland

 

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by Sara Watkins via Home And Garden

Easy & Delicious Fruit Salad Parfait

My mother-in-law only have to make it once, and we were all in love!

So, I got her permission to share the secret and I’m so excited to share it with you!

Easy Fruit Salad Parfait

Ingredients:

Two 6 ounce raspberry yogurts (or your favorite flavor)

One package of vanilla instant pudding (3.4 oz in powder form)

16 ounces of whipped topping

about 16 ounces of your favorite fruits

Mix together the pudding powder and yogurt really well. (The powder doesn’t blend very well with the whipped topping. Believe me, I found that out the hard way. Thankfully those at the pot luck had never had it before and were too kind to say anything.) 😉

Now you may go ahead and add the whipped topping and fruit!

You can add the fruit to the top for a parfait effect:

Or mix it all in for a fruit salad effect:

Hope you enjoy our family secret fruit salad parfait!

Print

Easy & Delicious Fruit Salad Parfait

Ingredients

• Two 6 ounce raspberry yogurts (or your favorite flavor)
• One package of vanilla instant pudding (3.4 oz in powder form)
• 16 ounces of whipped topping
• about 16 ounces of your favorite fruits

Instructions

1. Mix together the pudding powder and yogurt really well. (The powder doesn’t blend very well with the whipped topping. Believe me, I found that out the hard way.)
2. Now you may go ahead and add the whipped topping and fruit!
3. Enjoy!

3.1

https://howdoesshe.com/easy-delicious-fruit-salad-parfait/

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by Caley via Home And Garden

6 Easy Ways to Welcome Summer With Your Home Decor

*We are proud to partner with Etsy and ShopStyle on this sponsored post.  All the opinions are our own because we really do adore Etsy!

 

Summer is my favorite holiday.

Yes, holiday.

I call the whole few months of Summer a holiday because it’s non stop fun with my family (with a lot of work mixed in there too!). To me, it feels like the brightest, most carefree time of the year and we celebrate every day! Whether it be the long summer nights where we chase lightning bugs till WAY past our bedtime, or sipping lemonade and eating otter pops poolside each day, we like to maximize our adventures!

One way we love to welcome Summer is by sprucing up our house. I still have childhood memories of my mom changing out her decor when Summer rolled around. It was one of the first signs of excitement. Now, my kids know, when momma changes out the front door wreath, it’s time to get ready!

There are lots of easy ways to welcome Summer around your home, and I thought I’d share a few with you. The greatest source EVER for unique home decor (and jewelry, and clothing, and gifts, and just about everything handmade…) is Etsy. I could spend HOURS just meandering around the site.
Actually, who am I kidding, I DO spend hours meandering around the site!!
Anyone else?

Here are a things I found to help spruce things up for Summer!

1. A new doormat After a long winter, and many little feet coming in and out, a door mat is a simple way to make a first impression. The first thing a guest might notice when coming to your door is your door mat. There is no better way to make someone feel welcome before they even step foot inside! There are so many great ones found on Etsy – and some are SO hilarious. I mean, this one on my doorstep? Could you just die? With 5 kids in our house, this only seemed appropriate! I also adore this one for all my Joanna Gaines fans.

   If you prefer something a little more classic, get one personalized with your name on it!

   

2. A  new wreath for your front doorAgain, your door is the first thing your guests are going to see! Why not catch their eye with a new Summer wreath!? If you prefer a more demure look, there are lots of options such as the ones I grabbed for my front door! I love a classic green wreath! I also love these gorgeous magnolia leaf wreaths! What style is your favorite? More classic or bright and fun?

   3. Refresh your entry way statement piece
   

   We all have that ONE wall piece that packs a mean punch on our wall. Check out this one in my entry way! This huge clock is re-purposed from old pallets, How unique is that? I love the rustic look against the neutral wall. EVERYONE comments about it, and yes it totally works! Sometimes, refreshing those entry way pieces can really make a world of difference!

4. Add a family motto or quote in your house

I like to think that my kids will see inspirational quotes around our house and remember them forever. The world is a tough place and I think it’s important to teach truths in the home. Whether that be a favorite scripture, like the one I picked, or an motivational quote, these are meaningful and purposeful pieces of decor. Each summer, we pick a theme for the next school year and I love to hang it in my home and have my kids memorize it. I hope those visual representations of inspiration will stick in their little hearts – and mine!

5. Replace outdoor pillows

Just like IN your house, the easiest (and often least expensive) ways to spruce things up and celebrate the changing seasons, is with PILLOWS. I love how different a space can look just by changing the print or color of pillows. These bright blue pillows, with their energetic design make me feel so happy for Summer!

6. Add a little simple outdoor decor

You don’t have to blow the budget and get a whole new patio set each year! No doubt you’ll be spending more time outdoors though, so why not add a little personal touch? Cut some wildflowers and place them in a vase on a patio table. String a few lights. Garden flags are another great way to make your outdoor space “yours”. They’re subtle, but beautiful! I especially love this one I grabbed for my outdoor area.

There are TONS of simple ways to get your home spruced up for Summer, and EVERY season! Etsy has literally everything under the sun. The items there are going to be one of a kind! Your house will look like YOURS and not like everyone else’s on the block. What ways are YOU getting your home Summer ready? Do you have a favorite Etsy shop?
Be sure to leave a comment and let me in on your favorite shop so I can check it out!

Happy decorating and enjoy your Summer!

 

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by Andrea via Home And Garden

Homemade Hand Sanitizing Wipes

Homemade Hand Sanitizing Wipes Now that the kids are back in school, it’s time to start thinking about staying healthy! It’s inevitable that germs and colds will spread around the classroom and make their way into...

The post Homemade Hand Sanitizing Wipes appeared first on Smart School House.

by Kelly via Home And Garden

7 Ways to Enjoy Summer with Kids

Summer vacation is a double-edged sword for stay-at-home or work-at-home parents of school kids. We’re so excited to have them home. We’ve missed them all year while they’ve been off at school! Now we can spend the quality time together we’ve been craving for months. But somewhere along the way we all start to drive each other nuts. Today I’m going to talk about 7 ways to enjoy summer with kids. The whole summer. My goal is to make you sad when school starts again. You’re welcome.

Why do we love summer break?

We love the abundance of time we get to spend together. We love the millions of options we have to fill up our time. In Seattle, we love that there’s just so darn much sun. I know I feel great about sleeping in a little bit late every day.

So, what drives us crazy?

The abundance of time together sometimes means more fighting amongst our kids. They miss their friends and, as a day-time empty nester, I miss spending time with MY friends. There are a lot of hours to fill and only so much parental energy. It’s tempting to let our kids waste all of their time glued to screens. The lack of structure can make for a slew of lazy days where the time feels wasted. THE MESS. When we’re all home together all day every day, mini disasters can pile up faster than you can say “Slip ‘N Slide.”

What can we do about it?

1. Keep a Schedule

You don’t have to be super rigid about this, but do your best to maintain a schedule for the summer. Have a consistent wake-up time and bedtime and put routines in place. Obviously during these vacation months there will be exceptions, but make them just that… exceptions. This will help the kids know what to expect and give you some parental down-time to look forward to each night.

2. Wake up Before Your Kids

This may not be possible, depending on your kids’ sleep schedules, but do it if you can. Starting the day with some mellow time, a cup of tea on the front porch or half an hour of yoga, could be just the thing to nurture yourself before you spend the day on mom duty. If your kids wake up super early, work out a schedule with your spouse or a friend so you get to squeeze in a little bit of quality alone time at the start of each day.

3. Schedule Quiet Time

Whether your kids are 2 or 16, parenting can be over-stimulating. Schedule a time each day where you can all be still and relax. Naps are epic if you can make them happen. But, if not, make sure to schedule some time throughout the day where everyone can be quiet and decompress. Even mom. Especially mom.

4. Keep it Simple

Try to think of activities the kids will love that are inexpensive and low-stress for you. Rather than packing them up every day to go to a waterpark or museum, I like to spend a chunk of my days at a local park or beach. I take them somewhere safe where they can run around and enjoy the outdoors and I can relax and read a book. These activities are free, we all love them, and no one minds the repetition. Don’t overcomplicate your life by doing things you think you “should” do all summer.

5. Let’s Go to the Movies

So, this one’s not an overarching summer guideline but it’s one of my favorite summer activities with kids. Look online for cheap summer movie schedules near you. There are several theaters within a reasonable driving distance of our house that offer practically free show times once or twice a week. Sometimes they’re crazy and crowded and other times we’ve practically had the theatre to ourselves. Either way, you get a couple of hours to sit down and relax with your kids in an air-conditioned room. There’s nothing bad about that.

6. Give Love

No one’s showering your kids with love as they navigate the halls of their schools. My job during the summer months is to pour all the love I can into my elementary, middle school, and high school aged kids. They need it. And I need it. I feel so much more joy and connection to my kids unconditional love is my primary purpose in every interaction. This is a good goal year-round, obviously, but it sometimes gets hard to maintain day-in and day-out ALL DAY during the summer. It’s worth it though. And this next idea while help you keep it up.

7. Journal Gratitude

This may be the most important one. You have such a small window to raise children in your home and those years are sprinkled with these short weeks or months each summer of intense time together. Don’t wish them away. Take time each night to focus on what you love about your children, what you’re grateful for during this season of your life. This really helps put the popsicle-stained shirts and sibling bickering in perspective.

May your summer be filled with love, patience, popsicles, dirt and board games! I’d love to hear what you plan to do to make the most of these precious weeks with your small people.

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by Kathryn Thompson via Home And Garden

The New Big Threat to Our Children

What is the new BIG THREAT to our children?

Date Night Rule!

My husband and I have a rule: No social media on Date Night. When we are together on Saturday nights, our phones are put away. Even when he is driving and I am just sitting in the front seat with two free hands. NO PHONES!

This means, when we get to the restaurant, our phones stay in the car, or a pocket, or purse.

This gives me lots of opportunities to see what is happening around me. And here’s what I have noticed:

We are in the minority.

On the drive to the restaurant, I notice down-turned faces in the cars all around me. Not just the passengers, the drivers too. (They think they are being sneaky–it’s illegal here in California–but phone-gazing comes with a very distinct posture that is very hard to miss. And that is even before your car swerves.)

Once we sit down in the restaurant, all around us other couples/friends/families, are eating together–but also separately. Because they are all on devices. I used to see more tablets, but now it’s mostly phones.

But hey, I’ve been there. Doug and I are not perfect. We have had plenty of phone time on dates before we made “the rule”. On many occasions we’ve been known to pull out a phone and hand it to the noisy toddler in church (or in a restaurant) to give us–and the people around us–a break.

And don’t even get me started on road trips–talk about a tech free-for-all!

Learning more

But as we learn more, and see more negative side-effects and a growing dependence on screens, we are trying to change our habits. Slowly but surely I’m trying to break small habits that have crept in over time. I’ve taken Facebook off my phone and cut back on Instagram consumption. The i-Pads are no-longer in circulation or available for the kids to use (until the next road-trip). The car DVD player is no longer being used, and every single game has been deleted from my phone, so that even if I am tempted, I won’t hand it over to my boys.

Break bad habits!

I’m not perfect. And sometimes it seems like a losing battle or one not worth fighting. After all, screens are all around us. Most of us have one at our fingertips every moment of the day. Tech consumption, mostly on smartphones, is increasing by the second. It is literally everywhere. And it can enrich our lives in so many ways. But with all of the amazing technological marvels we have access to, come terrible, terrible by-products.
Here is what I have a serious problem with:
The babies.

I get it. Babies are hard and babies are noisy and babies are NO FUN to eat with in restaurants.

They are difficult to take shopping.

They are NOT reverent at church!

And sometimes a mom or dad needs to be able to eat a meal in peace for crying-in-the-night!!

So what do you do?

But I’m begging you. I’m PLEADING with you–keep your phone away from your baby.

Don’t prop your phone in front of your baby at the restaurant.

Leave your phone turned off at church. (God loves babies. Even noisy ones.)

Keep your phone put away in the grocery cart even though I KNOW how hard it is to get through Target/Costco/Ikea/Albertsons with a crying baby!
(Or a Screaming Toddler/Cranky Grade-Schooler/Sulky Teenager. I have five kids. I’ve been there! The struggle is real!!)
Once you are home, keep your phone out of the swing, saucer, bouncy seat, high chair and crib.

And please, PLEASE FOR ALL THAT IS GOOD IN THE WORLD–put your phone down when you are nursing! Or doing ANYTHING with your baby. (Or adorable toddler/sweet grade schooler/growing middle schooler/doing-his-best-high schooler/mother/uncle/friend/lover…)

Just put it down!

Whatever you do, keep your phone away from your baby.

Out of his crib, out of her car-seat.

It is not fair to raise your child with an addiction they did not choose. An addiction that will saddle them with craving and dependence as strong as a drug habit. Not only is it not fair, it is selfish and irresponsible.

If you can’t put it down, if you can’t stop picking it up and clicking and scrolling endlessly, recognize that you have a problem and make a change.

Listen, I’m not perfect at this.

I’ve taken Facebook off my phone and put it back on multiple times. I am not a tech expert. I’m not an anything expert. I’m just a person who reads a lot. And a lot of what I read are articles relating to tech. And it’s pretty scary stuff.

When I read about research done in the area of Smart Phone Use or Technology Addiction, the results are never, ever, positive.
They are scary for adults. They are absolutely TERRIFYING for pre-teens and teens. And early studies on babies and tech show more of the same negative outcomes.

Early results of “technoference” in family life are NOT GOOD! I can only imagine the horror that will come from future long-term studies done on the babies raised with screens constantly in front of them. Or between them and the faces of their parents and family members.

Maybe you are thinking, “I know I need a to make a change, but it seems so overwhelming, I’m not sure how.”

Do you have an iPhone?

Set some restrictions like turning off the Internet/Facebook/Instagram and have your spouse or friend or mom pick the password.

Are you constantly handing your phone to your little ones? Delete all the games. And then turn off the App Store in Restrictions so you can’t easily re-download them.

If you must, switch to a flip phone. You may think I’m joking, but flip phones are making a comeback as more people recognize the addictive nature or apps and unhealthy amount of time spent on smartphones.

More people are refusing to give smartphones to tweens and teenagers thanks to skyrocketing depression rates. The least you can do is refuse to hand your phone to your baby.

Do something big.

Or start with something small.

Just do something!

If you need a little additional motivation. Read the first article listed below. And then a few more linked below it. Until you have the strength and motivation to make a positive change. I promise you it is worth it.

You only have one life to live. Put your phone down, and live it.

Sincerely,

How Well Do We Understand the Tech Habits of Parents

“Yes, parents have been distracted forever, but the kind of engaging distraction that this device produces is something that the world has never seen before.”

For the Children’s Sake, Put Down That Smartphone — NPR

“It’s not just kids who are overdoing screen time. Parents are often just as guilty of spending too much time checking smartphones and e-mail — and the consequences for their children can be troubling.”

Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation? by Jean M. Twenge (in The Atlantic)

“The more time teens spend looking at screens, the more likely the are to report symptoms of depression.”

The Silent Tragedy Affecting Today’s Children

“If we want our children to grow into happy and healthy individuals, we have to wake up and go back to the basics. It is still possible!”

Protect Young Minds has resources for families like a template for a Family Technology Guide. We used it to make our Dub Family Tech Rules

Our Minds Can Be Hijacked

“I have two kids and I regret every minute that I’m not paying attention to them because my smartphone has sucked me in.”

Porn is Not the Worst Thing on Musical.ly by Anastasia Basil

“Pretend you can turn your kid invisible. Pretend you drop your invisible kid off at a warehouse in downtown LA. You have no idea who’s inside–fingers crossed it’s packed with Nobel Peace Prize winners, board certified pediatricians, and J.K. Rowling. Pray it is not packed with the worst of humanity. No once can see your kid, but your kid can see everyone and hear everything.”

The Secret Social Media Lives of Teenagers by Anna Homayoun for New York Times

“I’ve spent nearly two decades working with teens on organization and time-management in the heart of the Silicon Valley, and many teen girls tell me they have a real Instagram account (“rinsta”) for a wider audience and then keep a “finsta” (friends-only or “fake” Instagram) for their closest friends.”

Teacher Urges Parents to Wake Up When it Comes to Kids’ Social Media Use ABC news report

“Parents of the world, WAKE. UP,” Skipper Coates, the Pleasant Grove, Utah, teacher wrote in the viral post. “Your kids are living in a world that you are not invited to be part of. And they know how to keep you out. Your teenager DOES NOT NEED a smartphone.”

Turn Off That Smartphone, Mom and Dad! — Psychology Today

“Parents on devices distress children and reduce their resilience.”

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by Emily Warner via Home And Garden